Bakers Boutique & Patisserie caught in alleged underpayment scandal
A Caroline Springs bakery loved by shoppers for its fresh cakes and sandwiches has refused to back-pay money allegedly owed to staff in underpaid wages. Now, the business owner has a date in court.
North West
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A Caroline Springs bakery owner who allegedly underpaid staff and refused to back-pay them will be hauled to court.
Giuseppe Conforto, sole director of Bakers Boutique & Patisserie in Caroline Springs and Meadow Heights, operated by Gothic Downs Pty Ltd, has been charged with failing to pay staff their early morning shift loadings, overtime and their weekend and holiday rates.
He is also alleged not to have paid some staff their minimum wage.
Fair Work investigators were tipped off to the alleged underpayments by two former staff members who worked at the bakeries between 2016 and 2018, resulting in an investigation and compliance notices being issued.
The notices required Mr Conforto to calculate and back-pay money owed to staff, including any outstanding superannuation entitlements.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said ignoring such notices could result in legal action.
“Under the Fair Work Act, compliance notices are important tools used by inspectors if they form a believe that an employer has breached workplace laws,” Ms Parker said.
“Where employers do not comply with our requests, we will take appropriate action to protect employees. A court can order the business to pay penalties in addition to back-paying workers.”
Mr Conforto’s business, which is praised online in Google reviews by customers impressed with his shops’ fresh rolls, sandwiches and cakes, could be slapped with fines of up to $31,500 if a breach of the Fair Work Act is proven, Ms Parker said.
Mr Conforto also faces possible fines of up to $6300 as an individual.
A directions hearing will take place on August 6 in the Federal Circuit Court.
Attempts to contact Mr Conforto’s businesses on Monday were unsuccessful, with both phone numbers listed for his bakeries disconnected.
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